Talks With Thomas

We have to build up our defenses against sin. God's Battle Plan for the Mind by David Saxton How did the Puritans Meditate on Sin? 1. They meditated on how awful sin is. 2. They meditated on how foolish sin is and what its consequences are. 3. They meditated on their weak spots. 4. They meditated to find grace and help. Scripture Used in this Episode: Psalm 119:11; Romans 8:1; 1 John 1:9 Questions: thdiscipleship@gmail.com Facebook

When Jesus was tempted He leaned in His Word. When Israel was led through the wilderness, they survived on God's Word. Every time Israel went out to get manna in the wilderness, God had some prepared for them. And God has something prepared for you. You just have to come and spend time with Him in His Word and in prayer. God wants us to thrive and we can only do that when we spend time with Him. Questions: thdiscipleship@gmail.com Facebook

H.E.A.R. Journaling Highlight - What verse or verses are sticking out at the main point of this passage? Explain - In my own words, what is this passage saying? You can use commentaries, but you don't have to do that all the time. Apply - What do I do with this in my life? Respond - What am I going to do? What commitments am I going to make? What thanks do I need to give to God? The Heart of Worship (MyDaily) Devotional by Johnny Hunt Connect Church Questions: thdiscipleship@gmail.com Facebook

We hear over 4,000 messages a day. How do we make sure God's Word sticks out above all the other messages? We meditate on Him and His Word.

Some days are not going to be perfect. Your time with God doesn't have to be perfect in order for it to be good. Sometimes all you can do is take 5 minutes to be still and remind yourself who God is.  Questions: thdiscipleship@gmail.com Facebook

My mind wanders off far too often when I pray or read my Bible. Everyone gets distracted.  How do we deal with the distractions? 1. Learn to notice and acknowledge the distractions. God already knows you're distracted, so talk to Him about it. 2. Ask God if you're being distracted or directed. Is the distraction your mind wandering or something God is directing you towards? 3. If it is a distraction, ask God to help you focus. He's the One who tames the seas, so He can definitely tame your mind. This all gets easier with practice, but don't ever expect it to be easy. Distractions will come to keep you from enjoying prayer, but God can and will help you.  Questions: thdiscipleship@gmail.com Facebook

Think about the last prayer that you prayed. Was it more like a speech that you gave to God or a conversation that you had with God? We need take time to stop in the middle of our prayers, embracing the awkward silence, and give God an opportunity to speak to us. How God Speaks to Us: 1. The Holy Spirit will bring up some Scripture in order to answer a question or reveal God's will. 2. The Holy Spirit will give us clarity on an issue. 3. The Holy Spirit will bring to mind situations that God wants to address in our lives. We have to believe God will answer our prayers. James 1:5-8 -- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Ask Questions and Expect Answers: 1. Is there sin I need to deal with? 2. Is there anything hindering me from being who God wants me to be? 3. What is God's will for this particular situation or what does God want me to do now? 4. What does this passage of Scripture mean and what am I supposed to do with it? Questions: thdiscipleship@gmail.com Facebook

We need time with God more than we realize. Isaiah 26:3 — You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Quick Tips to Create a Habit of Daily Fellowship with God Questions: thdiscipleship@gmail.com Facebook

Are you going through the motions when you pray? Mindless Prayer is when we go into autopilot. We focus on the words that we're saying, but not what we mean when we say them. Mindful Prayer pays attention to the fact that we are talking to God. Mindful Prayer is when we say what is really on our heart. Examples of Mindful Prayer: 1. Responding to Scripture - Episode 4. R.S.V.P. Responding to God's Word with Prayer 2. Rehashing What Happened During the Day 3. Repenting of Sin 4. Recognizing the Need for God for the Day Ahead Don't go into autopilot when you pray. Think about what you really want to say and say it. Questions: thdiscipleship@gmail.com Facebook

Redeeming the Time - Ephesians 5:16 1. Listen to the Bible in the car, at work (if your job allows), or while you're working around the house. 2. Listen to or read the same passage throughout the week. 3. Pick one verse for the week or the month. Memorize it. Write it down and put it all over the house-bathroom mirror, by the sink, by the door, in your car... 4. Read the Bible with friends and talk about it. Set up a group text on your phone to talk about what you're reading. Don't let the pursuit of perfect keep you from doing something. The little things throughout the day add up. Questions: thdiscipleship@gmail.com Facebook

God's Word is the fuel for our prayers. Bible Engagement is actively reading God's Word expecting to respond to it. Prayer is the first response we should give to God's Word. Responses to God's Word: 1. Confession - Forgive me for... 2. Praise or Thanks - Thank you for... 3. Commitment - I'm going to... 4. Request - Help me ... When we pray after we read God's Word, we will have something to talk about. Questions: thdiscipleship@gmail.com Facebook

How should we read difficult passages in the Bible? 1. Begin your time in God's Word with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you're about to read. 2. Read with curiosity. Dig deep. Use a study Bible. Look up words with Bible dictionary. Check our biblestudytools.com for some resources to help you dig deep into difficult passages. 3. Focus on what you CAN understand instead of what you can't. 4. Reread the passage. 5. You need to be willing to accept that there are some passages you just aren't going to be able to understand. Have any questions about a difficult passage that you are reading or about Bible reading in general? Email me at thdiscipleship@gmail.com Or message me on Facebook.

The best Bible translation is one that you will read. Bible Translations Info and Spectrum YouVersion Bible App Submit your questions using email or Facebook. thdiscipleship@gmail.com Facebook Profile

We have heard from the creator of all the universe. God has spoken to us, and we didn't have to go looking for Him. Expectation is reading with pencil or pen in hand. For more info on H.E.A.R. journaling check out https://replicate.org/what-is-a-hear-journal/. Bible Reading Plans: F260 Whole Bible F260 New Testament Fellowship's Reading Plan (This is custom made for our church.) For other reading plans check out the YouVersion Bible App. I hope this will help you create daily fellowship with God through Bible engagement.

The purpose of this podcast is to help you create and maintain daily fellowship with God through prayer and Bible engagement. Quick Tips: 1. Pick a Time and Place. 2. Pick a Reading Plan 3. Read Small and Slow. 4. Read with Pencil or Pen in hand.